Purchase Price $40,000
3 bed · 2 bath · 3,744 sqft
This house just oozes potential. Much of the original wood and trim remains in the house as do the windows, doors, bathtubs, sinks, and hardware. The owner has architectural plans available. The upstairs has been framed and is ready for bedrooms and a bath. And just wait until you see the staircase!
Contact: Karen Hadley & Associates at Keller Williams KC North
Call: (816) 507-5728
House History & Gallery
Some houses can tell you a lot about the person who built them. Perhaps we are being fanciful, but we think that the distinctive “witch’s hat” on the so very charming house at 1705 Francis Street is a reflection of the first owner, Gustav Schumacher’s, German ancestry (remember all of those witches in the Grimm Fairy Tales?).
Gustav was a grocer whose store was right next door to his house on Francis Street. He was born in Germany and came to the United States in 1873 when he was 20. He first settled in Davenport, IA but the next year he moved to St. Joseph. He was married to Wihelmina and the couple raised their family in this home.
It was after Gustav’s death in 1920 that his widow began to rent out part of the house to help her make ends meet. Her first tenant was F.L. Shoup, a driver for the American Railway Express Company.
In 1926 the contractor and painter Herbert W. Judson and his wife Alma moved into the house and he died there in 1931. His widow remained in the home she loved so much until her own death in 1955 – both of the Judsons are buried at Mount Mora. Mrs. Judson continued to rent out part of the house. One of her tenants was Francis Verner, the manager of the Basket Store at 1101 N. 12th St. She must have had a great story to share in December 1931 when her store was held up by “a robber who wore a soiled handkerchief for a mask” made off with about $50. In 1932, William Hurst, a candidate for the position of County Treasurer on the Democratic ticket lived here with his wife.
Following the death of Mrs. Judson the house continued its life as a duplex and for many years was a well-tended structure in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, in recent years it has suffered from neglect. But many of the great features are still intact. The house still has the wonderful woodwork installed by Gustav Schumacher and the intricately carved staircase of which he was so proud is still there and waiting for the next family to come and appreciate it.
